Weekly Companion Animal News: January 12, 2026
New Soundbyte: Felycin®-CA1
Felycin®-CA1 from PRN® Pharmacal is conditionally approved by the FDA for the management of ventricular hypertrophy in cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This new therapeutic gives veterinarians the opportunity to treat these patients while offering clients the convenience of once-a-week dosing, specifically for cats in small tablet sizes for pet piller administration. Find more in the SoundByte from Veterinary Advantage.
AAHA releases 2026 oncology guidelines for primary care teams
The American Animal Hospital Association released the 2026 AAHA Oncology Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, including descriptions of common cancers for early detection and recognition, diagnosis and staging protocols, updates on drugs and treatments, and staff and patient safety recommendations for handling chemotherapy and oncology cases. The guidelines are supported by CareCredit, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health and Zoetis.
Illinois law gives vets cover for rabies shots exemptions
An Illinois law taking effect Jan. 1 allows veterinarians to renew yearly exemptions for pets too sick to receive rabies shots. For years, veterinarians have granted exemptions, but the practice wasn’t recognized in law. Senate Bill 128 calls for vets to examine the pet, determine the vaccine would cause harm (e.g., lead to an anaphylactic reaction or autoimmune condition) and evaluate the animal annually to renew the exemption.
High job mobility increases managers’ salaries: VHMA survey
Salaries of office, practice and hospital administrators generally increased with years of service at the current location, according to the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association’s 2025 Compensation & Benefits Survey. However, hospital administrators with less than a year of experience at their current practice reported the highest salaries, highlighting how job mobility can increase compensation.
The mid-level practitioner: Still a divisive proposition
The veterinary profession stands at a crossroads, facing a divisive proposal to introduce a new tier of provider – the mid-level practitioner. Proponents argue that mid-level positions could improve access to care. Others disagree, noting the educational requirements for the role are still being developed, leading to concerns about lack of standardization, safety risks and the potential impact on the existing veterinary workforce and education pathways.
Vermont VMA launches certified veterinary assistant training program
The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association has launched an online Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) training program in partnership with the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and Patterson Veterinary Academy. Participants complete a documented skills checklist and receive real-world training within a veterinary practice. The program is available to individuals already working in veterinary practices as well as those seeking to enter the field.
Zpeer launches high-concentration DHA supplement for dogs
Tokyo-based Zpeer announced the launch of A-DHA-PT, a high-concentration DHA supplement designed to support canine neurological health. In an effort to clarify the clinical relevance of high-concentration DHA for dogs with epilepsy, Zpeer recently entered a research agreement with the University of Tokyo to evaluate seizure outcomes and quality of life in affected dogs.
PetCure Oncology treats 10,000th patient with radiation therapy
PetCure Oncology, a partner of Thrive Pet Healthcare, announced it has treated its 10,000th pet with radiation therapy since opening in 2015. PetCure says stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy allow many patients to complete treatment in one to three sessions, reducing anesthetic events and shortening overall treatment time. The company operates eight treatment centers and supports referrals through a team of 12 board-certified oncologists and eight supervising veterinarians.
